Had been looking at this boot in recent times ($655). While I would have liked to patronize an American Company, I just couldn't swallow the additional funds I'd have to pay versus Robert Old ($507). So the good folks across the pond got my business.

david3558, my understanding of the terminology is that the two shoes pictured in your post are both oxfords (i.e. they have closed lacing, unlike a derby). The bottom shoe, with its horizontal side seam, is a balmoral, also known as a "galosh oxford." The problem is that term "balmoral," which is a specific subset of "oxford," has been too broadly applied to oxfords in general, and the two terms have become synonymous for many people. In traditional usage, balmoral only applies to shoes with the horizontal side seam like the alfred Sargent pictured above.

david3558, my understanding of the terminology is that the two shoes pictured in your post are both oxfords (i.e. they have closed lacing, unlike a derby). The bottom shoe, with its horizontal side seam, is a balmoral, also known as a "galosh oxford." The problem is that term "balmoral," which is a specific subset of "oxford," has been too broadly applied to oxfords in general, and the two terms have become synonymous for many people. In traditional usage, balmoral only applies to shoes with the horizontal side seam like the alfred Sargent pictured above.

Thanks so much - yeah to me, I thought that the closed lacing, with it constructed under vamp meant balmoral - apparently I was wrong. So, OXFORD is actually the bigger group and then BALMORAL is a variant of it. Obviously in the states, we incorrectly refer to Bluchers/Derby's as Oxfords too.. which is confusing.

What are people's general thoughts on the Galosh Oxford/Balmoral - is it more dressy, etc than the now standard oxford look?

Thanks so much - yeah to me, I thought that the closed lacing, with it constructed under vamp meant balmoral - apparently I was wrong. So, OXFORD is actually the bigger group and then BALMORAL is a variant of it. Obviously in the states, we incorrectly refer to Bluchers/Derby's as Oxfords too.. which is confusing.

What are people's general thoughts on the Galosh Oxford/Balmoral - is it more dressy, etc than the now standard oxford look?

I definitely like them more. They look sleeker to me. Wish they made more balmoral shoes.

Yeah it's 337, really like the wider fit as it's perfect for me. A little surprised the 11Ds fit as normally I'd size 10.5 but got both and 11s were a lot better (US size). Shoe is nice, just a bit too sleek for my current uses as I don't need to dress up. Saddle wise no idea how to wear but had to get some russian reindeer and cordovan. Last is a bit funky, seems kinda wide but felt narrow so had to size up so fit's not fully there neither. What can I say, Bryan is a good salesman